WASHINGTON, D.C. - Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), released the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee hearing on MedPAC's Annual Report to the Congress on Medicare Payment Policy:

"Advanced medical imaging helps physicians detect disease earlier and can make providing care for complex, life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease more accurate and effective. Despite the tremendous progress and advancements made in imaging technology, reimbursement for medical imaging services was severely cut, beginning in 2007, through a provision in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

"The Government Accountability Office reported that spending on imaging fell by $1.7 billion (13 percent) between 2006 and 2007, and volume increases moderated. We believe this indicates no need for additional spending reductions. Moreover, two provisions in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 ensure that the right image is taken for the right patient at the right time. The first requires accreditation of imaging equipment, technicians and supervising physicians to ensure the production of high quality images and patient safety. The second calls for the use of physician-developed appropriateness criteria to ensure that the right image is ordered and produced.

"The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) recommendation to reduce imaging payments is not based on rigorous analytic findings.

"At AdvaMed's request, United BioSource Corp (UBC) prepared an analysis of the MedPAC-sponsored survey on imaging equipment utilization rates. The results from this survey formed that basis for MedPAC's discussion of equipment use rates in its June 2006 report, and the 2009 recommendation to increase the assumed utilization rates.

"UBC concluded that the survey results should not form the basis for evidence-based decision making due to limitations in the survey, which included:

* Low response rate;
* Lack of geographical representation in sample selection;
* Responses from physician offices and IDTFs that may not reflect the distribution of imaging service providers in many parts of the nation; and
* Inclusion of only MR and CT equipment in the survey, which may not be representative of all imaging modalities.


"MedPAC's proposed cuts to imaging are inappropriate and could inhibit medical progress, result in higher costs elsewhere in the Medicare program, and threaten beneficiary access to needed services. We urge President Obama, CMS and Congress to recognize the true value of imaging in detecting and treating life-threatening diseases."

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